GLAAD - baseballhttp://www.glaad.org/tags/baseball
enVIDEO: Rural South Dakota high school supports gay coachhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-rural-south-dakota-high-school-supports-gay-coach
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img width="2040" height="1360" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2014-08/nate%20alfson%201.jpg?itok=yrGQO9Zn" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>A high school volleyball and baseball coach, Nate Alfson, <a href="http://www.outsports.com/2014/8/5/5969863/nate-alfson-gay-baseball-coach-south-dakota-coming-out" target="_blank">publicly came out as gay in a national <em>Outsports</em> article,</a> knowing full well his conservative Catholic school administration might fire him for being open about who he is<strong>.</strong> To his pleasant surprise, he was met with support and acceptance at the Catholic school, St. Mary High School of rural Dell Rapids, South Dakota.</p>
<p>Alfson, who is 25, made the decision to publicly come out last week when his moving article was published on <em>Outsports</em>, describing his long struggle of hiding his identity, terrified of judgment from others in his rural and conservative area, and then embracing the liberating opportunity of being open with who he is.</p>
<p>Immediately after Alfson's letter was published, Alfson received overwhelmingly positive reactions from his community. In<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.ksfy.com/story/26207100/dell-rapids-coach-comes-out-in-national-article" target="_blank"><em>KSFY ABC</em>'s coverage</a>, which can be watched below, Alfson said, "Its been amazing. I've had nothing really but amazing comments."</p>
<p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://KSFY.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=427084;hostDomain=www.ksfy.com;playerWidth=630;playerHeight=355;isShowIcon=true;clipId=10443565;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=News;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=overlay"></script></p><p><a href="http://www.ksfy.com" title="KSFY News - Sioux Falls, SD News, Weather, Sports">KSFY News - Sioux Falls, SD News, Weather, Sports</a></p>
<p>Although Alfson was pleased to receive supportive reactions from the community in general, he knew that he was running a real risk of being fired by St. Mary High School. Last May, nine teachers who were unjustly fired from their Catholic schools for being LGBTQ or an ally joined the Human Rights Campaign in writing a letter to Pope Francis, requesting a meeting to address the trend of these employment discrimination cases at Catholic schools. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/lgbt-catholics-allies-are-being-unjustly-fired-and-have-asked-pope-talk-them-about-it" target="_blank">GLAAD's coverage of this letter</a> details several of these recent cases. Regarding this fear, Alfson said he was "prepared for the worst." <img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2273732%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="146" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2014-08/nate%20alfson%202.jpg?itok=MdKAWl0h" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right;" width="220" /></p>
<p>Earlier this week, however, Alfson was overwhelmed with joy when a meeting with the administration proved his fears would be unmet. Alfson told <a href="http://www.outsports.com/2014/8/12/5997059/nate-alfson-catholic-school-gay-coach" target="_blank"><em>Outsports</em></a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>The meeting with the school went great. We talked about being on the same page as each other and that they were willing to walk through this with me and support me. They want me to be their volleyball coach again and that I was a great role model to the athletes.</p>
<p id="paragraph4">I couldn't be happier that they are supportive and want me to be a part of the coaching team. It's a sense of relief to be able to move forward and focus on volleyball and the girls. This season is about them and the hard work they put in. The support has been amazing and I can't wait to live a free life!</p>
</blockquote>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">August 15, 2014</span></div></div></div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/local-and-regional-news">Local and Regional News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/religion-and-faith">Religion and Faith</a>, </li>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/catholic">Catholic</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/coaches">coaches</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/volleyball">volleyball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/catholic-school">Catholic School</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/coming-out">coming out</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/outsports">Outsports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/nate-alfson">Nate Alfson</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/st-mary-high-school">St Mary High School</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/south-dakota">South Dakota</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 15 Aug 2014 17:02:48 +0000jpulitano71978 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-rural-south-dakota-high-school-supports-gay-coach#commentsMLB appoints Billy Bean as consultant for LGBT inclusionhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/mlb-appoints-billy-bean-consultant-lgbt-inclusion
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img width="1724" height="1341" id="1" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2014-07/BB_MG_8836-edit.jpg?itok=4FOsL12r" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Major League Baseball <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/mlb-appoints-billy-bean-consultant-inclusion-24571540" target="_blank">appointed Billy Bean</a>, a former player who is now openly gay, as a consultant in guiding the sport toward full LGBT inclusion. This news broke earlier this afternoon.</p>
<p>Bean will offer training to players and staff, designed to educate about LGBT-related issues and to create a more supportive environment in professional baseball, both major and minorleagues.</p>
<p>"As a young man, I silently walked away from baseball for all the wrong reasons, and today I am truly humbled that the Commissioner's Office has brought me back to lead the effort on inclusion. I will honor baseball's great tradition, and be the resource that our current and future players need as they embrace their responsibility as role models to our fans," said Billy, who spent six seasons in the major leagues with the LA Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres. His last game with the MLB was in 1995, four years before he came out publicly as gay.</p>
<p>Commissioner Bud Selig made this announcement after the All-Star game this afternoon, which also recognized <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/fans-ask-baseball-hall-fame-honor-first-gay-player">at long-last</a> the life of <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/major-league-baseball-recognize-glenn-burke-baseballs-gay-pioneer" target="_blank">Glenn Burke</a>, a gay MLB player who passed away in 1995. Glenn's sister, Lutha, joined Bud and Billy and today's press conference.</p>
<p>MLB has previously partenered with GLAAD on initiatives like Spirit Day to speak out against bullying and stand in support of LGBT youth.</p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/billy-bean-is-mlbs-first-ambassador-for-inclusion?ymd=20140715&amp;content_id=84795004&amp;vkey=news_mlb">MLB.com has more</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 15, 2014</span></div></div></div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/mlb">MLB</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/gay">gay</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/billy-bean">Billy Bean</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/major-league-baseball">Major League Baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/glenn-burke">Glenn Burke</a></li>
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Tue, 15 Jul 2014 20:23:44 +0000adera71687 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/mlb-appoints-billy-bean-consultant-lgbt-inclusion#commentsMajor League Baseball to recognize Glenn Burke as baseball's gay pioneerhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/major-league-baseball-recognize-glenn-burke-baseballs-gay-pioneer
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-2-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img width="750" height="375" id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2014-07/outthe-glenn-burke-story.jpg?itok=PYkUQc_w" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>As more and more athletes open up about being gay, creating a strong impact on the LGBT movement in sports, it is important to remember and recognize those who have been out for many years. Glenn Burke was the first ever MLB player to come out as gay while still playing professional baseball. By coming out as gay in 1982, Burke became one of the LGBT trailblazers in sports.</p>
<blockquote><p>"They can't ever say now that a gay man can't play in the majors, because I'm a gay man and I made it" <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Burke" target="_blank">said</a> Glenn Burke.</p>
<p>“It’s harder to be gay in sports than anywhere else, except maybe president,” Burke said in 1982, when he came out publicly in an Inside Sports magazine article. “Baseball is probably the hardest sport of all.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In 1994, Burke was diagnosed with AIDS and passed away in 1995, at the age of 42. As the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/15/sports/baseball/mlb-to-recognize-glenn-burke-as-a-gay-pioneer-in-baseball.html" target="_blank">NY Times reports</a>, almost 20 years after his death, the Major League Baseball hopes to make the league more LGBT inclusive and invites players to come out. As a way to show their support to the LGBT community and acknowledge Glenn's monumental role in the movement, the MLB invited Burke's family members to the All-Star Game in Minneapolis.<img height="300" width="260" style="float: right;" class="media-element file-file-styles-large" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/images/2014-07/Glenn%20Burke%206.jpg?itok=aoYIia2M" alt="" /></p>
<blockquote><p>“He was a pioneer, and should be recognized,” Pat Courtney, a Major League Baseball spokesman, said.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Since there is no openly out player in the MLB, it is imperative that the league creates a safer and more inclusive environment for players to publicly come out. The public support of out players would ultimately not only affect athletes hoping to come out but also fans and the baseball community as a whole.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 15, 2014</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/sports">Sports</a></li>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/glenn-burke">Glenn Burke</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mlb">MLB</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/gay">gay</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/athlete">athlete</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/sports">Sports</a></li>
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Tue, 15 Jul 2014 17:05:07 +0000adera71682 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/major-league-baseball-recognize-glenn-burke-baseballs-gay-pioneer#commentsSan Francisco Giants to be honored at #glaadawards in San Franciscohttp://www.glaad.org/blog/san-francisco-giants-be-honored-glaadawards-san-francisco
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-3-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="3" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/sf-giants-feature.jpg?itok=l0VcfpF6" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Reigning World Series champion, the San Francisco Giants, will be honored with the Corporate Leader Award at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco on May 11, GLAAD announced today. The Giants will become the first professional sports team to be honored by GLAAD.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards">Take a look at this year's nominees and get your tickets here.</a></p>
<p>In 1994, the San Francisco Giants became the first-ever professional sports team to host an HIV/AIDS benefit game, "Until There's A Cure Day." Since then, the Giants and the Giants Community Fund have repeated the effort, generating more than $1.3 million for Bay Area HIV/AIDS education, care/service organizations and international HIV/AIDS research.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="304" id="3" style="height: 304px; width: 425px;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/-051510-0105.JPG?itok=uBI8tXbu" alt="" /></p>
<p>The Giants were also the first major league sports team to record a video for the It Gets Better Project, a campaign devoted to bettering the lives LGBT youth. Last September, pitcher Matt Cain, the longest tenured player on the team, was photographed for the NOH8 Campaign in response to California's passing of Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution to ban marriage for same-sex couples. In October, the Giants took yet another stand in support of LGBT youth by participating in Spirit Day, GLAAD's annual anti-bullying campaign. The team also welcomed San Francisco drag icon, Donna Sachet, to sing the national anthem in 2008.</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A1TcD95kmGQ" frameborder="0" height="236" width="420"></iframe></p><p>This May, the San Francisco Giants will host their 11th annual LGBT Night Out, a game that celebrates LGBT fans and their allies with proceeds going to local LGBT organizations, including the FGG (Federation of Gay Games), Team SF, and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA).</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="304" id="3" style="height: 304px; width: 425px;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/-082911-SM016.JPG?itok=yiWOZ83F" alt="" /></p>
<p>"The San Francisco Giants have taken a leadership role when it comes to equality in sports," said GLAAD's Wilson Cruz. "By being so outspoken and supportive of the community, the team and its management have put the conversation around the lack of gay players in major league sports at the forefront of sports media around the country."</p>
<p>GLAAD previously announced that Grammy-nominated singer Adam Lambert will receive the Davidson/Valentini Award at the San Francisco event. Additional guests for the event will be announced.</p>
<p>The GLAAD Media Awards in San Fransico will mark the third and final show in the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards series. This Saturday, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/drew-barrymore-host-24th-annual-glaad-media-awards-los-angeles-glaadawards">Drew Barrymore will host </a>the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, with special guests including Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence, Betty White, Scott Evans and more. Find out how you can win a trip to Los Angeles to <a href="http://www.glaad.org/win">meet Jennifer Lawrence here.</a><a href="http://glaad.org/win"><img class="media-image" height="425" id="3" style="height: 425px; width: 425px;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/jlaaw-win.jpg?itok=Iz8GisGX" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>To receive the latest updates on the GLAAD Media Awards, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/glaad" target="_blank">@glaad on Twitter</a> and use the hashtag #glaadawards.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">April 15, 2013</span></div></div></div><!--
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/san-francisco-giants">San Francisco Giants</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/glaadawards">#glaadawards</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/24th-annual-glaad-media-awards">24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards</a></li>
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Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:14:47 +0000Seth64486 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/san-francisco-giants-be-honored-glaadawards-san-francisco#commentsToronto Blue Jays' Yunel Escobar to Work With GLAAD and You Can Play, following anti-gay slurhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/toronto-blue-jays-yunel-escobar-work-glaad-and-you-can-play-following-anti-gay-slur
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="240" id="2" style="height: 240px; width: 425px;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/escobar-eye-black-120915-8col.jpg?itok=lnuWxtUA" alt="" /></p>
<p>Today, the <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120918&amp;content_id=38609650&amp;vkey=news_tor&amp;c_id=tor">Toronto Blue Jays announced that shortstop Yunel Escobar will work with GLAAD</a> and the <a href="http://youcanplayproject.org/">You Can Play project</a>, after he was seen with an <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/mlb-toronto-blue-jays-address-mricon-incident">anti-gay slur written in Spanish</a> on his eye-black over the weekend. The team also announced that Escobar will serve a three-day suspension. GLAAD has been in conversations throughout the day with the team and with Major League Baseball (MLB) about the incident.</p>
<blockquote><p>"Today's actions show that MLB and the Toronto Blue Jays are committed to creating an environment that all fans and families can enjoy, not a place where discriminatory language and anti-gay attitudes are accepted," said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Blue Jays released a statement last night, saying the team "(does) not support discrimination of any kind nor condone the message displayed by Yunel Escobar during Saturday’s game." In announcing Escobar's suspension and intent to work with GLAAD and You Can Play, the team today stated "The Blue Jays want to reaffirm that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. The club looks forward to supporting the efforts of You Can Play and GLAAD to help promote education for players and fans alike and to help keep language like this out of the game and society."</p>
<p>Last year, through our relationship with MLB, GLAAD sent a list of recommendations and suggestions to each of the teams who participated in the <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/looking-back-mlbs-it-gets-better-videos">It Gets Better</a> project. In 2010 we also worked with the New York Yankees on a <a href="http://www.glaad.org/2010/10/14/new-york-yankees-to-take-action-against-homophobic-fans">zero-tolerance policy</a> for anti-gay discrimination in the stands.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">September 18, 2012</span></div></div></div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/yunel-escobar">Yunel Escobar</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/toronto-blue-jays">Toronto Blue Jays</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/mlb">MLB</a></li>
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</div>
Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:39:33 +0000aaronmcquade59464 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/toronto-blue-jays-yunel-escobar-work-glaad-and-you-can-play-following-anti-gay-slur#commentsMLB, Toronto Blue Jays to Address "M*ricon" incidenthttp://www.glaad.org/blog/mlb-toronto-blue-jays-address-mricon-incident
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="240" id="2" style="height: 240px; width: 425px;;;" width="425" src="http://gladblog.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/escobar-eye-black-120915-8col.jpg?itok=lnuWxtUA" alt="" /><br />GLAAD has spoken with both Major League Baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays organization this morning, regarding <a href="http://www.towleroad.com/2012/09/toronto-blue-jays-shortstop-yunel-escobar-takes-field-with-anti-gay-maricon-slur-in-his-eye-black.html">anti-gay language that was written on shortstop Yunel Escobar's eye-black</a> this weekend. The phrase "TU ERE M*RICON" was written, which is most closely translated as "You are a f*ggot."</p>
<p>Escobar's team released a statement last night, saying "The Toronto Blue Jays do not support discrimination of any kind nor condone the message displayed by Yunel Escobar during Saturday’s game." </p>
<p>Escobar, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos, manager John Farrell and coach Luis Rivera are <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/story/2012/09/17/sp-mlb-toronto-blue-jays-yunel-escobar-gay-slur.html">expected to speak at a press conference Tuesday afternoon</a> in New York to further address the incident.</p>
<p>We will have more updates then.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">September 18, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/spanish-language-and-latino">Spanish-Language and Latino</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/sports">Sports</a></li>
</ul>
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<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mlb">MLB</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/yunel-escobar">Yunel Escobar</a></li>
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Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:09:49 +0000aaronmcquade59453 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/mlb-toronto-blue-jays-address-mricon-incident#commentsFans Ask Baseball Hall of Fame to Honor First Gay Playerhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/fans-ask-baseball-hall-fame-honor-first-gay-player
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" id="6" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: left;" src="https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/Glenn%20Burke.jpg?itok=dl9zsE1U" alt="" />An online petition is asking the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to honor Glenn Burke, the first openly gay Major League Baseball player, despite a previous refusal to do so. Around 22,000 signatures on the petition, as well as the (at least) eleven teams that have made It Gets Better videos, and the three MLB players and their families who posed for the NOH8 campaign in the spring, indicate that baseball fans and players support LGBT inclusivity within the sport.</p>
<p>Glenn Burke played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland A’s in the late 1970s and was open with his teammates and the public about his identity. Thought to be “the next Willie Mays” at the start of his time with the Dodgers and the inventor of the high five (that’s right, he <em>invented the high five</em>), Burke faced much homophobia during his career. Explaining his leave from the MLB, Burke says in his autobiography, “prejudice just won out.” His journey, including his fateful battle with AIDS, was <a href="http://www.glaad.org/2011/08/08/glenn-burke-documentary-making-national-premiere">chronicled in the Comcast SportsNet documentary <em>Out. The Glenn Burke Story</em> last year</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.change.org/">Change.org</a> is host to a petition that was created by Jeremy Redlien of New York. When Redlien first suggested that the Hall of Fame Museum create a permanent exhibit about Burke, an official told him via e-mail, “I’m sure you would agree that Burke’s story is not central to baseball history.”</p>
<p>Redlien does not agree and neither do the 22,000 people who have signed the petition (a number that is continuously rising). To be one of the desired 25,000 signers, <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/honor-the-legacy-of-glenn-burke-the-first-openly-gay-mlb-player?utm_source=action_alert&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=XdkddZjsRg&amp;alert_id=XdkddZjsRg_YbHCHWtLyQ">click here</a>.</p>
<p>“Considering the significance of Glenn Burke being the first Major League Baseball player to come out, his legacy is comparable to that of Jackie Robinson,” the petition letter reads. “As baseball is our National Pastime, it is incredibly important that the Baseball Hall of Fame acknowledge and promote diversity within the sport itself.”</p>
<p>The petition site quotes Burke: “They can’t ever say now that a gay man can’t play in the majors, because I’m a gay man and I made it.”</p>
<p>Despite the anti-gay sentiments Burke experienced (including being offered a substantial bonus if he married a woman) and the Hall of Fame’s disregard of his role in MLB history, three current baseball stars have made a family affair of standing up against discrimination.</p>
<p>In the spring, San Francisco Giant and All-Star pitcher <a href="http://www.noh8campaign.com/photo-gallery/familiar-faces-part-5/photo/31652">Matt Cain</a>, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher <a href="http://www.noh8campaign.com/photo-gallery/familiar-faces-part-5/photo/31635">Yovani Gallardo</a>, and Cincinnati Reds pitcher <a href="http://www.noh8campaign.com/photo-gallery/familiar-faces-part-5/photo/31630">Mat Latos</a> teamed up with their wives (the Gallardos were also joined by their son) for the <a href="http://www.noh8campaign.com/">NOH8 campaign</a>, a visual promotion of equality and silent protest against hate (or H8, as it were). Their participation was <a href="http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2012/06/17/matt-cain-mat-latos-yovani-gallardo-appear-in-noh8-campaign-with-their-wives/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=matt-cain-mat-latos-yovani-gallardo-appear-in-noh8-campaign-with-their-wives">recently covered</a> by Cyd Zeigler at Outsports.</p>
<p>While the Hall of Fame has yet to recognize the significance of Glenn Burke’s professional and personal life in the world of baseball, these players and Burke’s supporters represent a growing trend among athletes and their fans towards inclusivity. We hope that those being petitioned (including the Hall of Fame and Museum’s President, Vice President, and Senior Directors of Communications and Education, Development, and Exhibits and Collections) will recognize and contribute to this trend, and that more fans will give a virtual high-five to equality by <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/honor-the-legacy-of-glenn-burke-the-first-openly-gay-mlb-player?utm_source=action_alert&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=XdkddZjsRg&amp;alert_id=XdkddZjsRg_YbHCHWtLyQ">signing the petition</a>.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="6" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: left;" src="https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/MattChelseaCain.jpg?itok=YTypn_df" alt="" /><img class="media-image" id="6" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" src="https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/Yovani%20Gallardo%20Family.jpg?itok=hWDmOqQz" alt="" /><img class="media-image" id="6" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" src="https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/MatDallasLatos.jpg?itok=GSKtFDr2" alt="" /></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 29, 2012</span></div></div></div>
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<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/sports">Sports</a></li>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/glenn-burke">Glenn Burke</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/changeorg">Change.org</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/noh8">NOH8</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/matt-cain">Matt Cain</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mat-latos">Mat Latos</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/yovani-gallardo">Yovani Gallardo</a></li>
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Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:36:28 +0000alexandrabolles58263 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/fans-ask-baseball-hall-fame-honor-first-gay-player#commentsLooking Back at MLB's It Gets Better Videoshttp://www.glaad.org/blog/looking-back-mlbs-it-gets-better-videos
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="134" id="2" style="WIDTH: 250px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px;" width="250" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/mlb1.jpg?itok=OAXlEmWs" alt="" />The 2011 Major League Baseball regular season has been a particularly memorable one for those of us who support LGBT inclusion and equality and follow the national pastime. For the first time in the sport's history, eight teams this summer took the time and effort to record a video message of support, aimed at welcoming and encouraging LGBT young people. These teams' involvement with the <a href="http://www.itgetsbetter.org/">It Gets Better</a> campaign was incredibly touching, especially for those of us who love and support both baseball and LGBT young people.</p>
<p>GLAAD, through our friendship with MLB, sent a list of recommendations and suggestions to each of the teams who participated in this project this year, as well as several teams who may be planning to participate next year. In addition, we specifically consulted with two of the teams - the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers - who made It Gets Better videos during the season. Several other teams we spoke with indicated that they are planning to produce similar materials in the future, so we are optimistic that the roster of teams sending these messages of support will continue to grow.</p>
<p>We'd like to thank and congratulate the Red Sox, the Dodgers, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs, the Baltimore Orioles, the Seattle Mariners (who produced their video along with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, the WNBA's Seattle Storm and MLS's Seattle Sounders) and the 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, who were the first MLB team to create an It Gets Better video.</p>
<p>Although the videos are all similar, they each have unique personal touches. Many of the teams took the extra care to send these messages of support not just to their English-speaking fans, but also to those baseball fans who speak Spanish and Japanese. The Cubs' video included a message from part-owner Laura Ricketts, who is a lesbian. The Red Sox involved several of their biggest fans. The Mariners teamed up with their neighbors from other sports. The Rays featured a personal message from Johnny Damon, who himself was bullied when he was younger. The Dodgers were the only team to specifically mention gender identity.</p>
<p>You can watch all eight MLB It Gets Better videos below, and please encourage your local team to speak out and stand up for its fans who are LGBT young people. And to find out more about how you can personally show your support for LGBT young people, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/spiritday">click here to read more about Spirit Day</a>.</p>
<p><br /><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">nX1EadNF9v0</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">A1TcD95kmGQ</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">rTYc0C1VpC0</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">TGcY_ip3w7g</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">4oIDaRLoStI</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">erjMzGXH5KI</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">bcpkRL_5IYk</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">Ce-PB9mWEYQ</a></span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 14, 2011</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/sports">Sports</a></li>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/mlb">MLB</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/it-gets-better">It Gets Better</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/boston-red-sox">Boston Red Sox</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/chicago-cubs">Chicago Cubs</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/san-francisco-giants">San Francisco Giants</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baltimore-orioles">Baltimore Orioles</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/los-angeles-dodgers">Los Angeles Dodgers</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/philadelphia-phillies">Philadelphia Phillies</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/tampa-bay-rays">Tampa Bay Rays</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/seattle-mariners">Seattle Mariners</a></li>
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Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:22:37 +0000aaronmcquade35045 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/looking-back-mlbs-it-gets-better-videos#commentsGlenn Burke Documentary Making National Premierehttp://www.glaad.org/2011/08/08/glenn-burke-documentary-making-national-premiere
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/out-the-glenn-burke-story1.jpg"><em><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-41983" title="out-the-glenn-burke-story" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/out-the-glenn-burke-story1-206x300.jpg" alt="" width="124" height="180" /></em></a><em>Out. The Glenn Burke Story</em> is an immensely powerful look at the life of a man who was decades ahead of his time. The documentary, produced by <a href="http://www.comcastsportsnet.com/pages/main" target="_blank">Comcast SportsNet</a>, was nominated for both a Northern California Area Emmy Award and a GLAAD Media Award earlier this year and made its debut at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco last November. Now, the feature is making its national debut on the Versus network on Tuesday, August 9, at 10 p.m. Eastern.</p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">aFiekJb2HLQ</a></span></p>
<p>Sportswriter Rick Chandler <a href="http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/44059614/ns/sports-baseball/" target="_blank">wrote about the film and Burke's legacy on NBCSports.com</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>"My mission as a gay ballplayer was to break a stereotype. I think it worked," Burke told People magazine in 1994. But did it? Even though it's almost a certainty that there are other gay athletes in professional American sports, none are rushing to come out. It's still as taboo as it gets, and each time we hear the unenlightened such as Kobe Bryant (minor offender) or Tim Hardaway (major) we're reminded that, despite the popular videos, it's not really getting any better.</p>
<p>So here's to a more enlightened age, I guess, and to a time when the next Glenn Burke won't feel the need to hide his sexual orientation from the world. We're not here, yet, but perhaps Burke can still help us light the way.</p></blockquote>
<p><img class="alignright" title="Glenn Burke" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Glenn-Burke.jpg" alt="" width="156" height="180" />While I vehemently disagree with Chandler's observation that it isn't getting "ANY" better, I see his point that it hasn't gotten better<em> enough</em> so that a professional athlete in American major team sports has been willing to come out while active. For all the <a href="http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/05/cnn-speaks-to-ben-cohen.html" target="_blank">Ben Cohens</a> and <a href="http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/01/12/Straight_Wrestler_Launches_Athlete_Ally/" target="_blank">Hudson Taylors</a> and <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/columnists/view/20110106welcome_to_my_coming-out_party/srvc=home&amp;position=1" target="_blank">Steve Buckleys</a> and <a href="http://www.towleroad.com/2011/06/jared-max.html" target="_blank">Jared Maxes</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6553603" target="_blank">Rick Weltses</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/18/charles-barkley-gay-nba-players_n_863444.html" target="_blank">Charles Barkleys</a> and <a href="http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2011/07/nfl-legend-michael-irvin-covers-out-talks-gay-brother-equality.html" target="_blank">Michael Irvins</a> and <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/07/red_sox_release.html" target="_blank">It Gets Better</a> videos which show us how far we've come, Glenn Burke's story is a haunting reminder of how far we have yet to go when it comes to full acceptance of LGBT people in sports.</p>
<p>It's also a moving tribute to a man who, were it not for anti-gay attitudes, could very well have become one of the best to ever play professional baseball.</p>
<p>Out. The Glenn Burke Story will air Tuesday night at 10 p.m. Eastern, then again on again Saturday, August 13, at 11 p.m. and Wednesday, August 17, at 11 p.m. <a href="http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/ns/sports/?ns=sports" target="_blank">on the Versus network</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">August 8, 2011</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/television">Television</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/out-glenn-burke-story">Out: The Glenn Burke Story</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/versus">Versus</a></li>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:20:34 +0000aaronmcquade34208 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/08/08/glenn-burke-documentary-making-national-premiere#commentsBoston Red Sox Release 'It Gets Better' Videohttp://www.glaad.org/2011/07/01/boston-red-sox-release-it-gets-better-video
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sox-Logo.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-39172" title="Sox-Logo" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sox-Logo-300x294.jpg" alt="" width="180" height="176" /></a>The Boston Red Sox today became the third major league baseball team to send a message of support to LGBT young people and a message of inclusion to its fans. The minute-long video features three very recognizable faces from the Red Sox organization - third baseman Kevin Youkilis, catcher (and team captain) Jason Varitek, and Red Sox manager Terry Francona. </p>
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The Red Sox also became the first team to include the voices of its fans and off-the-field staff, by including: Eric Maitland, a Red Sox greeter and Wheelock College counselor; TJ Connelly, Fenway Park’s DJ and member of the Red Sox Fan Services &amp; Entertainment department; Kristen Rosa, Smith College student and Red Sox fan; and Alison Tippett, a student at Lexington High School and daughter of Red Sox Director of Baseball Information Services Tom Tippett. The team said in a statement:</p>
<blockquote><p>“Bullying is something that has touched many of our lives either personally or through someone we love,” said Senior Vice President of Public Affairs/Marketing Susan Goodenow. “We are proud of dedicated Red Sox fans like 12-year-old Sam Maden who took the courageous step recently to publicly stand up against bullying of LGBT youth, and we are honored to join Sam and others throughout Red Sox Nation in support of the It Gets Better Project.”</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>The Red Sox want to thank The Trevor Project and GLAAD for their assistance with the production of this PSA. </p></blockquote>
<p>As <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/06/04/red-sox-cubs-joining-giants-in-sending-message-of-support-to-lgbt-youth/" target="_blank">we reported when this was announced</a>, the Red Sox organization has been thinking about ways to send a positive message to its fans about LGBT inclusion for quite some time. (Several members of the Red Sox, and Kevin Youkilis in particular, <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/02/15/finding-allies-in-athletics/" target="_blank">were among the first</a> to reach out to Boston Herald columnist Steve Buckley when he came out earlier this year.) This “It Gets Better” video (inspired by a <a href="http://articles.boston.com/2011-06-04/news/29685554_1_anti-bullying-online-video-gay-youth" target="_blank">12 year-old fan who started an online petition</a>) will likely be just the start. </p>
<p>We have been speaking with several other MLB teams who are either considering making similar statements in support of LGBT youth or are already in the process of creating them. We hope the Red Sox' excellent contribution to the dialogue around inclusion in the world of sports encourages even more teams to participate.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 1, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:20:16 +0000aaronmcquade34067 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/07/01/boston-red-sox-release-it-gets-better-video#commentsMinnesota Twins Apologize to Scolded Fanshttp://www.glaad.org/2011/06/23/minnesota-twins-apologize-to-scolded-fans
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Twins2.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-38543 alignleft" title="Twins" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Twins2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>The Minnesota Twins baseball team has apologized in person to a lesbian couple who said they were <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/06/16/twins-will-reach-out-to-lesbian-couple-reprimanded-for-kissing/" target="_blank">scolded by a security guard</a> for sharing a brief kiss at a game earlier this month.</p>
<!--more--><p> Taylor Campione and Kelsi Culpepper said that after their kiss a security guard told them, “<em>we don’t play grab *ss here</em>” and that they must “<em>adhere to the 10 Commandments</em>” while at the Twins' home ballpark, Target Field. After <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/06/16/247142/it-doesnt-get-better-for-lgbt-minnesota-twins-fans/" target="_blank">Think Progress blogger Zack Ford</a> notified us of the incident, we contacted the Twins, who said that the security guard had been reprimanded, that his statements certainly did not reflect what the Twins stand for, and that they'd be reaching out to the couple to apologize.</p>
<p>Now we can happily report that the team <em>has</em> apologized in person to Campione and Culpepper and that the couple has accepted the apology. Twins' spokesman Kevin Smith told us that since the incident, the team has "opened up the policy books to make sure we're doing the right thing" when it comes to anti-discrimination procedures. The Twins said they would reach out to GLAAD and the couple in the next few weeks to talk about possible changes to its policies. Campione told us "we're really glad they handled it the way they did" and said she hopes this leads to more teams taking steps to ensure that LGBT fans feel welcome at the ballpark.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 23, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:20:12 +0000aaronmcquade34034 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/06/23/minnesota-twins-apologize-to-scolded-fans#commentsTwins Will Reach out to Lesbian Couple Reprimanded for Kissinghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/06/16/twins-will-reach-out-to-lesbian-couple-reprimanded-for-kissing
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Twins1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-38232" title="Twins" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Twins1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="162" height="162" /></a>At a recent game at Target Field, a Minnesota lesbian couple <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/06/16/247142/it-doesnt-get-better-for-lgbt-minnesota-twins-fans/" target="_blank">was scolded by a security guard</a> after they shared what they described as a "brief kiss." (Thanks to <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/06/16/247142/it-doesnt-get-better-for-lgbt-minnesota-twins-fans/" target="_blank">Zack Ford</a> for notifying us!)</p>
<!--more--><p>
We talked with a Twins spokesman this afternoon, and have been assured that the guard has been reprimanded both verbally and with a written warning - and has been told in no uncertain terms that all fans are welcome at Twins games, and that lesbian and gay couples are welcome (and even encouraged, via the "kiss cam") to show affection towards each other. Spokesman Kevin Smith says the team is in the process of reaching out to the couple to invite them back to the ballpark to make amends. The couple has <a href="http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2011/06/target_field_gay_kiss.php" target="_blank">called for the team to create a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment</a>. Smith told GLAAD while the team does incorporate respect for LGBT fans and patrons into its training programs for staff, it does not have such a policy in writing, and is now in the process of considering one.</p>
<p>Longtime baseball fans will know the Twins have been one of the leaders in professional sports when it comes to inclusion. <a href="http://espn.go.com/page2/tvlistings/show62transcript.html" target="_blank">Here's a team executive</a> on ESPN defending the decision to host a local LGBT organization at the ballpark, way back in 2001.</p>
<p>The team recently <a href="http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2011/06/minnesota_twins_it_gets_better.php" target="_blank">told CityPages</a> that it's also exploring the idea of putting together a video for the "It Gets Better" project - saying "We're in the process of finding appropriate players, lining up production needs, etc." The Twins would join the Giants, Cubs, Red Sox and Mariners as MLB teams who have taken part - or have committed to taking part - in the campaign to support LGBT youth.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 16, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:20:09 +0000aaronmcquade34010 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/06/16/twins-will-reach-out-to-lesbian-couple-reprimanded-for-kissing#commentsRed Sox, Cubs, joining Giants in sending message of support to LGBT youthhttp://www.glaad.org/2011/06/04/red-sox-cubs-joining-giants-in-sending-message-of-support-to-lgbt-youth
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Cubs-Logo.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-37545 alignleft" title="Cubs Logo" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Cubs-Logo-300x285.jpg" alt="" width="144" height="137" /></a>The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs will soon have more in common than the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_World_Series" target="_blank">1918 World Series</a>. Both teams announced this weekend that they plan to join the <a href="http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/06/san-francisco-giants-it-gets-better.html" target="_blank">San Francisco Giants</a> in sending messages of support to LGBT young people.</p>
<!--more--><p> <a href="http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=32089" target="_blank">The Windy City Times </a>reports the Cubs' "it gets better" video has been in the works for at least a week, and will be shot when the team returns home from its current 10-game road trip. And having spoken with several Red Sox executives ourselves last week, we can report<a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Sox-Logo.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-37544 alignright" title="Sox Logo" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Sox-Logo-300x294.jpg" alt="" width="144" height="141" /></a> that the team has also been thinking about ways to send a positive message to its fans about LGBT inclusion for quite some time (several members of the Red Sox <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/02/15/finding-allies-in-athletics/" target="_blank">were among the first</a> to reach out to Boston Herald columnist Steve Buckley when he came out earlier this year.) and that the "it gets better" video (inspired by a 12 year-old fan who started an online petition) will likely be just the start. The team <a href="http://news.change.org/stories/red-sox-announce-it-gets-better-video-against-anti-gay-bullying-joining-giants-and-cubs" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>"We are proud of dedicated Red Sox fans like 12-year-old Sam Maden who have taken the courageous step of publicly standing up against bullying of LGBT youth," said Susan Goodenow, Senior Vice President/Public Affairs and Marketing for the Red Sox, in a statement. "The Red Sox have frequently done PSA videos, or public service announcement videos, on important social issues. We are currently producing an “It Gets Better” video to support the It Gets Better campaign to stop bullying of LGBT youth and teen suicides. We hope that when it is released it will both reflect our continued commitment to be active participants in the community and help advance the efforts of Sam and others to stop bullying.</p></blockquote>
<p>While the video will certainly send a wonderful message to LGBT youth themselves, the Red Sox know it's equally important to speak to educators, bystanders, and the bullies themselves. Goodenow said "Our team stands for respect and inclusion – there is no place for discrimination or acts of hatred in Red Sox Nation." We'll be working with them throughout the season to develop ways of communicating this message to all of Red Sox Nation.</p>
<p>We also plan to reach out to the Cubs to thank them for their efforts to send such a positive message, and to offer our support to them.</p>
<p>It's truly an exciting time to be a sports fan and a supporter of the LGBT community.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 4, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:20:03 +0000aaronmcquade33959 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/06/04/red-sox-cubs-joining-giants-in-sending-message-of-support-to-lgbt-youth#commentsGLAAD to Meet With MLB to Discuss LGBT Inclusion, Positive Messageshttp://www.glaad.org/2011/05/02/glaad-to-meet-with-mlb-to-discuss-lgbt-inclusion-positive-messages
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Roger-McDowell-2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-35397" title="Roger McDowell 2" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Roger-McDowell-2.jpg" alt="" width="148" height="138" /></a>Following <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6460840" target="_blank">Major League Baseball's decision</a> to suspend Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell for two weeks without pay after he was accused of directing violent threats and obscene anti-gay language toward the opposing team's fans in San Francisco, MLB executives will be meeting with GLAAD to discuss ways the sport can send positive messages of LGBT inclusion and acceptance to its vast audience.</p>
<p>Commissioner Bud Selig <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20110501&amp;content_id=18485548&amp;vkey=pr_mlb&amp;fext=.jsp&amp;c_id=mlb" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>"Major League Baseball is a social institution that brings people together and welcomes all individuals of different races, religions, genders, national origins and sexual orientations into its ballparks. Conduct by people associated with MLB that shows insensitivity to others simply cannot and will not be tolerated. I understand that Mr. McDowell is very contrite about his conduct, and hopefully this incident will be used to increase public awareness of the importance of sensitivity to others. I commend Justin Quinn and his family for bringing this issue to our attention so that it will not happen again in the future."</p></blockquote>
<p>We'll be speaking with MLB officials later this week about how we can work together can make their sport - and all sports - welcoming of LGBT fans and athletes.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">May 2, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:19:48 +0000aaronmcquade33836 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/05/02/glaad-to-meet-with-mlb-to-discuss-lgbt-inclusion-positive-messages#commentsBraves Place McDowell on Leave, Pending Investigationhttp://www.glaad.org/2011/04/29/braves-place-mcdowell-on-leave-pending-investigation
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/4/29/2143209/roger-mcdowell-braves-pitching-coach-suspended-for-weekend" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-35364" title="Roger McDowell 2" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Roger-McDowell-2.jpg" alt="" width="148" height="138" /></a></p>
<p>This afternoon the Atlanta Braves announced they were <a href="http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/mcdowell-placed-on-administrative-929835.html?cxtype=rss_news_128746" target="_blank">putting Pitching Coach Roger McDowell on administrative leave</a>, pending the results of their investigation into allegations he made anti-gay taunts and violent threats against a group of Giants fans at a game in San Francisco last week. While it's a positive step that the team has barred McDowell from joining them for their upcoming three-game series against St. Louis, they still need to take serious action.</p>
<blockquote><p>“It remains to be seen whether the Atlanta Braves will take real disciplinary action and send a clear message that there is no place for anti-gay remarks or violent threats in baseball,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “The Braves and Major League Baseball should follow the NBA and WWE by speaking out in support of gay and lesbian baseball fans and players around the country, and by taking steps to make the sport a safe place for everyone.”</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6450460" target="_blank">ESPN reports</a> that Braves General manager Frank Wren hopes to have the investigation finished before the end of the weekend, and said that any punishment would be coordinated with Major League Baseball.</p>
<p>We have been in touch with MLB executives, and we plan to speak with them again once the investigation into this incident is complete. We hope the Braves and MLB view this incident as an oppportunity to send positive messages about diversity, and to urge acceptance of all fans and athletes.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">April 29, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:19:48 +0000aaronmcquade33832 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/04/29/braves-place-mcdowell-on-leave-pending-investigation#commentsGLAAD Reaching Out to Braves, Giants, and MLB After Anti-Gay Incidenthttp://www.glaad.org/2011/04/28/glaad-reaching-out-to-braves-giants-and-mlb-after-anti-gay-incident
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Roger-McDowell.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-35227" title="Roger McDowell" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Roger-McDowell.jpg" alt="" width="158" height="146" /></a> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/sports/baseball/28bats.html" target="_blank">Braves Pitching Coach Roger McDowell has apologized</a> for the anti-gay and threatening remarks he is accused of making towards Giants fans, at a game in San Francisco this weekend.</p>
<!--more--><p>
Last night, McDowell issued <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2011/04/27/atlanta-braves-pitching-coach-roger-mcdowell-san-francisco-giants-att-stadium-gay-slurs-homophobic-gloria-allred/">the following statement</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>“I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. I apologize to everyone for my actions.”</p></blockquote>
<p>...which is certainly a good start - but he, the Braves organization, and Major League Baseball need to prove they understand that the problem here isn't the fact THAT McDowell responded to his apparent hecklers - it's the fact that he chose to respond <a href="http://www.towleroad.com/2011/04/atlanta-braves-coach-accused-of-anti-gay-slurs-gestures.html" target="_blank">with homophobic taunts and anti-gay language</a>. (and also apparently told some kids they shouldn't go to baseball games, then walked up to their dad with a bat and asked him "how much are your teeth worth?") We issued <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/04/27/glaad-reaching-out-to-atlanta-braves-after-accusation/" target="_blank">this statement</a> after seeing McDowell's apology:</p>
<blockquote><p>“The Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball must take real disciplinary action and send the message that anti-gay slurs have no place in sports,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “Professional sporting events should be an environment that all fans and families can enjoy, not a place where children are exposed to violent threats and discriminatory language.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Baseball is a beautiful game with a long and cherished tradition of being one the family-friendliest of all our country's major sports. Incidents like this tarnish the game's reputation as the national pastime, and apologies or actions that don't address the core issue do very little to restore it.</p>
<p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/AtlantaBraves_LOGO1.gif"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-35228" title="AtlantaBraves_LOGO" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/AtlantaBraves_LOGO1-300x300.gif" alt="" width="180" height="180" /></a>On a personal level, not only is baseball <em>my</em> game, the Braves are one of <em>my</em> teams. Even though I grew up in the northeast, the Braves were my grandmother's team, stemming from their time as the Boston Braves (pre-1953.) Add to that, the fact that Ted Turner's "Superstation" carried Braves games to households across the country in the early-to-mid 1980s, through the growing medium of cable television. Long before the internet, long before satellite TV, baseball fans throughout America had access to three teams; whoever their home team was, whoever was playing in the nationally broadcast game on Saturday afternoon, and the Atlanta Braves. (For a while, the team even used the nickname "America's Team.")</p>
<p>We're reaching out to the Braves to try to get them to address this incident in a more meaningful and positive manner - in a way that would befit that nickname. We're also reaching out to the Giants and Major League Baseball, to see where we can be of service in sending positive messages to the game's young fans and their parents.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">April 28, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:19:47 +0000aaronmcquade33825 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/04/28/glaad-reaching-out-to-braves-giants-and-mlb-after-anti-gay-incident#commentsGLAAD Reaching out to Atlanta Braves After Accusationhttp://www.glaad.org/2011/04/27/glaad-reaching-out-to-atlanta-braves-after-accusation
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>UPDATE: Late Tuesday evening, Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell issued <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2011/04/27/atlanta-braves-pitching-coach-roger-mcdowell-san-francisco-giants-att-stadium-gay-slurs-homophobic-gloria-allred/">the following statement</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>"I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. I apologize to everyone for my actions."</p></blockquote>
<!--more--><p>GLAAD contacted the Atlanta Braves and is calling for disciplinary action to be taken following our work with the <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/04/20/kobe-and-lakers-message-to-fans/">LA Lakers</a>, <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/03/17/wwe-to-partner-with-glaad-on-anti-bullying-messages/. ">New York Yankees</a> and the <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2010/10/14/new-york-yankees-to-take-action-against-homophobic-fans/. ">WWE</a> to address homophobia in sports.</p>
<p>“McDowell’s apology is a start, but the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball must take real disciplinary action and send the message that anti-gay slurs have no place in sports,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “Professional sporting events should be an environment that all fans and families can enjoy, not a place where children are exposed to violent threats and discriminatory language.”</p>
<p>Check back here for updates as we receive them.</p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>On Tuesday, attorney Gloria Allred held a press conference, in which a family she is representing claimed that Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell threatened them and hurled anti-gay slurs at the crowd at a Braves / Giants game in San Francisco. <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2011/04/27/atlanta-braves-pitching-coach-roger-mcdowell-san-francisco-giants-att-stadium-gay-slurs-homophobic-gloria-allred/" target="_blank">TMZ reports: </a></p>
<blockquote><p>Mega-attorney Gloria Allred announced the allegations moments ago in a news conference -- representing a family of four (including two 9-year-old girls) who claim they watched McDowell make the homophobic remark and then use a baseball bat to simulate [sex.]</p></blockquote>
<p>According to Allred, the family says they witnessed McDowell ask a group of three male fans if they were "together" - but not anywhere near as politely as that.</p>
<p> GLAAD reached out to team officials and will ask them to fully investigate the incident. We will provide updates on this situation as it develops.</p>
<p>“As more and more sports teams refuse to allow this sort of behavior, we urge the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball to investigate this matter immediately and work towards ensuring the safety of all fans and players," said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">April 27, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:19:47 +0000aaronmcquade33823 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/04/27/glaad-reaching-out-to-atlanta-braves-after-accusation#commentsFinding Allies in Athleticshttp://www.glaad.org/2011/02/15/finding-allies-in-athletics
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>There’s an instinct among many of us, no matter what issue we’re dealing with, to dismiss elements of our society that <em>we</em> deem to be “part of the problem” as never being able to be “part of the solution.” We sometimes think that whatever problem we seek to solve will be solved if the elements we’re working against would somehow magically cease to exist, or at least lose their influence.</p>
<p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Sports-Equipment1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-31939" title="Sports Equipment" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Sports-Equipment1-300x259.jpg" alt="" width="252" height="209" /></a>When noted sportswriter, author and Boston Herald columnist Steve Buckley came out, <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/01/06/boston-sportswriter-steve-buckley-comes-out/">I wrote</a>, “Anyone who’s ever set foot inside a locker room at any level, for any reason, has heard enough anti-gay invective to last a lifetime.” And it’s not just men who are athletes who are surrounded by this environment. In fact, sometimes it seems like the more successful a woman is as an athlete, the <em>more likely</em> she’ll be subjected to anti-lesbian (or anti-transgender) slurs by opponents or rivals.</p>
<p>For decades, the world of athletics has been seen as part of the problem by those of us dedicated to fighting anti-LGBT hate. It’s time to see it as part of the solution.</p>
<p>You don't have to look very far to see how influential athletes are in our society. Turn on the television, go on the Internet, open up a newspaper or magazine; sports figures are everywhere. They're selling us products, being heralded or derided for their performance, and being examples to young people - sometimes with good results, sometimes not-so-good. On a professional level, athletes exist in a vast sea of other entertainers and other celebrities.</p>
<p>But boil our culture down into the closed ecosystem of a school environment, and athletes have a much easier road to the top of the food chain. And from that position, they can wield massive influence and truly work to shape positive experiences for vast numbers of young people.</p>
<p>Hudson Taylor understands this.</p>
<p>On one hand, the recent Maryland graduate was one of the best collegiate wrestlers in the country. A three-time All American who is one of the top pinners in NCAA history, he was called "the most exciting wrestler in the world" by Sports Illustrated and is now a wrestling coach at Columbia.</p>
<p>On the other, he was a <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/02/hudson_taylor_is_a_wrestling_m.html" target="_blank">theater student</a> who created his own major, "Interactive Performance Art," which combined art, theater, American Studies and philosophy. And he's a magician who carries a deck of cards with him at all times. (When GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios and I met him la<a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hudson-Taylor.jpg"></a>st month, our card was the three of clubs. Hudson found it immediately.)</p>
<p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hudson-Taylor.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-31890" title="Hudson Taylor" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hudson-Taylor-219x300.jpg" alt="" width="158" height="218" /></a>In his college years, Hudson Taylor attracted nationwide media attention by wearing a Human Rights Campaign sticker on his headgear during one of his team’s wrestling matches. In fact, Taylor was never afraid to challenge his teammates if they used offensive, anti-gay language, and he used his influence as team captain to encourage an attitude of acceptance. Now, Taylor (in addition to being a wrestling coach at Columbia University) maintains a <a href="http://glaadblog.org/sbhola/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/DERXW12H/whydoyoufight.org">blog</a> for people to share their stories of equality and started <a href="http://www.athleteally.com/">AthleteAlly.com</a>, a website that serves as a resource for athletes and others looking to combat anti-LGBT language and behavior in the sports world. All visitors to the website are presented with a pledge to be a leader in educating others in the athletic community about LGBT equality.</p>
<blockquote><p>I pledge to lead my athletic community toward respecting and welcoming all persons, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Beginning right now, I will do my part to promote the best of athletics by making all players feel respected on and off the field.</p></blockquote>
<p>The pledge has already garnered over 1,400 signatures. </p>
<p>Think back to your own school years. A positive example set by a team or its players would resonate throughout the student body and add to a more welcoming environment for all students. An example set by a star<em> athlete</em> could easily have as much influence as any edict handed down from school officials. Anybody who’s ever sat through an after school special knows about the dangerous power of peer pressure. Hudson is recognizing the <em>positive</em> impact that peer pressure can have.</p>
<p>And peer pressure doesn’t stop once you leave high school. Sure, its grip on our decision-making abilities loosens quite a bit, but it’s there. Especially when you’ve got a tight-knit group like, oh … say, a professional sports team.</p>
<p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Steve-Buckley.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-31895" title="Steve Buckley" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Steve-Buckley.jpg" alt="" width="126" height="123" /></a>This is where Steve Buckley comes in. I applauded him for coming out last month, but neither he nor we could have predicted just how positively his coming out would be received in the sports world. Here he is (<a href="http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2011/02/09/steve-buckley-talks-about-coming-out/">courtesy of OutSports</a>) on ESPN’s Outside The Lines speaking with host Bob Ley and out former NFL player Esera Tuaolo about the future of gay people in sports.</p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">nHyK4eQpCEM</a></span></p>
<p>For those unfamiliar with the world of sports, here are some of the names Buck mentioned who sent him messages of support; Dustin Pedroia is the Boston Red Sox’ second baseman, and a former Rookie of the Year and American League MVP. Kevin Youkilis is the Sox’ third baseman, and a former Hank Aaron award winner (frequently mentioned in the book Moneyball). Terry Francona is the Red Sox manager. Bobby Orr, an NHL Hall of Famer, is one of the greatest hockey players who ever lived.</p>
<p>He also mentions New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft – and tells a very funny anecdote about his first meeting with Kraft after having come out- in <a href="http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/a-conversation-with-steve-buckley/">this conversation</a> he had with the Good Men Project.</p>
<blockquote><p>“If the locker room is open to the media from 10:15 to 11:00, that means at 11:00 they clear people out of there. You’re not supposed to be there.</p>
<p>So on one particular day at like four minutes to 11:00, I walked toward the far end of the locker room. As it’s coming up on 11:00, [Patriots Owner] Robert [Kraft] saw me and came walking in. And I’ve known Robert for 20 years. He said, “Steve, how are you? I read the piece. It’s great.” We were just making idle chitchat.</p>
<p>Now I’m aware that it’s 11:00 and the locker room is supposed to be closed to media—and so now it’s 11:01. It’s 11:02. … So finally I took it upon myself, and Robert was saying, “Is everything OK? Is everything going great?” I said, “Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.” And I said to him, “But I can’t be in here anymore.” And he says, “Who told you that? You come in here.” I said, “No, no, no, no. You misunderstood. I can’t be in here now it’s 11:00. It’s closed to the media.”</p>
<p>He thought that I was saying, like, I can’t come in here anymore. I’ve been told “You are not allowed here anymore.” And Robert was all up in arms and ready to champion my cause. That was one of the funnier moments during this whole thing. And it was so sweet for Robert to want to stick up for me. That was really cool.” – Steve Buckley</p></blockquote>
<p>You have to think the Red Sox, the Patriots, and … well, virtually every hockey player in the world will now feel even <em>just a little bit</em> more inclined to be more welcoming of gay people in the locker room. And that they’ll think of Buck, whom they like and respect, when they hear another player using an anti-gay slur. Rather than tiptoeing around the sports landscape and wishing it wasn’t there, both Hudson Taylor and Steve Buckley are blazing a trail right through it.</p>
<p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Lana-Lawless.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-31898" title="Lana Lawless" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Lana-Lawless-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="105" height="105" /></a>Already there are signs that the sports world is moving in a more inclusive direction. Last week, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/golf/12/30/golf.lawless.bagger.lpga/">CNN ran a story</a> on transgender golfers Lana Lawless and Mianne Bagger, raising awareness of the discrimination they’ve faced while trying to make a living playing the sport they love.</p>
<p>And this week, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana%26id%3D6101092" target="_blank">ESPN profiled</a> college basketball superstar Kenneth Faried, who may be a first-round pick in the next NBA draft, and whose mother is a lesbian who is suffering from lupus, but is powering through the disease with the help of her wife.</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Kenneth-Faried.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-31896" title="Kenneth Faried" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Kenneth-Faried.jpg" alt="" width="144" height="144" /></a>"And when they got married, that showed me what commitment is all about, that there are people out there that can commit, even though for them it really has been the worst of times. I look at them, what they've been through and I think, 'Wow. That's amazing.' They're amazing to me." – Kenneth Faried</p></blockquote>
<p>People like Hudson Taylor, Steve Buckley, Lana Lawless, Mianne Bagger and Kenneth Faried are showing us that it’s time we all look to the world of sports as part of the solution.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 15, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a></li>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:19:23 +0000aaronmcquade33624 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/02/15/finding-allies-in-athletics#commentsNew York Yankees to Take Action Against Homophobic Fanshttp://www.glaad.org/2010/10/14/new-york-yankees-to-take-action-against-homophobic-fans
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="font-size: 12px;">Earlier this week, several of our constituents alerted us to reports out of Yankee Statdium, that fans of opposing teams were being 'serenaded' with an </span><a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/i/nightly-gay-bashing-in-yankee-stadium-bleachers" style="font-size: 12px;" target="_blank">extremely homophobic version of the Village People classic song <em>YMCA</em></a><span style="font-size: 12px;">. (The Yankees play the real version in the stadium while the grounds crew is raking the infield dirt and dusting off the bases between innings.) We reached out to the Yankees, and were extremely pleased with their reaction. Yankees spokesperson Alice McGillion told us "the Yankees have zero tolerance for this and any kind of abuse." She said that security in the bleacher sections of the stadium will warn fans, before YMCA is played, that any type of homophobic abuse "will not be tolerated" and she assured us that any fans who take part in this ugly bullying will be ejected from the game. We'd like to thank McGillion and the Yankees organization for their prompt and proactive response.</span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 14, 2010</span></div></div></div>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:18:48 +0000aaronmcquade33321 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2010/10/14/new-york-yankees-to-take-action-against-homophobic-fans#commentsSports Stars Set to Attend Pride Celebrations in Chicago & Torontohttp://www.glaad.org/2010/06/25/hockey-baseball-stars-set-to-make-for-memorable-pride-parades-in-chicago-toronto
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<div style="width: 190px;float:right;"><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Brian-Brendan-Burke.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-22605" title="Brendan &amp; Brian Burke" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Brian-Brendan-Burke.jpg" alt="" width="180" height="180" /></a>
<p>Brendan &amp; Brian Burke.</p>
</div>
<p>Fresh on the heels of its appearance at the National Hockey League (NHL) draft in Los Angeles,<a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/2417426,CST-NWS-SNEED22.article" target="_blank"> the next stop for the Stanley Cup – hockey’s ultimate prize – is Chicago’s LGBT Pride Parade.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://chicagogayhockey.org/" target="_blank">The Chicago Gay Hockey Association (CGHA)</a> has invited the Chicago Blackhawks – this year’s Stanley Cup champions – to join the group at this year’s LGBT Pride celebration. Blackhawks President John McDonough will reroute the Stanley Cup from the NHL draft in L.A. to Chicago, 15 hours earlier than planned to make the event.</p>
<p>“We are thrilled and honored for them to consider and accept our request,” said CGHA President Andrew Sobotka. “It’s just the news we wanted to hear. For the Blackhawks to do this is amazing. It is wonderful to know everyone is helping to make 2010 a year to break down barriers.”</p>
<p>“The power of the Cup is incomprehensible, and we recognize the importance of doing this,” said McDonough. “It’s important for the city and important for this franchise.”</p>
<p>Blackhawks defenseman Brent Sopel will carry the Cup along the parade route. Sopel will be joined by his wife, Kelly, and the couple’s four children. The CGHA, who usually rollerblade or march in the parade, have built a float this year specifically for Sopel and his family.</p>
<p>Sopel will carry the Cup in honor of Brendan Burke, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke. Brendan was tragically killed in a weather-related car accident last February, just two years after telling his father that he was gay.</p>
<p>“When Brendan came out, Brian stood by him, and his whole family stood by him, like every family should,” said Sopel. “We teach our kids about accepting everybody.” <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&amp;id=4685761" target="_blank">(Here you can read more about the Burkes’ journey, movingly chronicled by John Buccigross of ESPN.)</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thestar.com/specialsections/prideweek/article/827450--brian-burke-carries-torch-in-memory-of-brendan" target="_blank">Brian Burke will be marching in Toronto’s Pride Parade. </a> Walking with the Toronto chapter of PFLAG – Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays – Brian will carry a torch in his son’s memory.</p>
<p>Last summer, Brian and Brendan attended the Toronto festival as spectators. “It was cool to be there with him [Brendan],” said Brian. “I enjoyed it. We both laughed. I said to Brendan, ‘Who do you think is more embarrassed: you watching with your straight dad, or me watching with my gay son?’ It was a fun moment.”</p>
<p>In addition to Brian Sopel’s participation, the Chicago Cubs will also have a float in the city’s Gay Pride Parade for the first time. The Cubs themselves have a game to play during the parade, but will send hall-of-fame player Ernie Banks in their absence. The Cubs’ participation in the parade has added significance in that theirs will be the first float sponsored by any major Chicago sports team.</p>
<p>GLAAD is thrilled to see such prominent figures from the world of sports stepping up to show their support of LGBT people in such visible ways. We urge the media to report on the significance of these landmark advances in support of total equality.</p>
<p>The Chicago 41<sup>st</sup> Annual Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 27<sup>th</sup> at noon. For more information, <a href="http://www.chicagopride.com/" target="_blank">click here.</a></p>
<p>The Toronto 30<sup>th</sup> Annual Pride Parade kicks off on July 4<sup>th</sup> at 2:00 p.m. For more information, <a href="http://www.pridetoronto.com/" target="_blank">click here.</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 25, 2010</span></div></div></div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/baseball">baseball</a>, </li>
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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:18:14 +0000justinward33023 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2010/06/25/hockey-baseball-stars-set-to-make-for-memorable-pride-parades-in-chicago-toronto#comments